Utopia Talk / Politics / Seasonal variation and violence

Nimatzo iChihuaha	Sun Mar 04 11:31:33 TL:DR Plan or DIE! Because winter is coming. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27210865 Worldwide there are substantial differences within and between countries in aggression and violence. Although there are various exceptions, a general rule is that aggression and violence increase as one moves closer to the equator, which suggests the important role of climate differences. While this pattern is robust, theoretical explanations for these large differences in aggression and violence within countries and around the world are lacking. Most extant explanations focus on the influence of average temperature as a factor that triggers aggression (The General Aggression Model), or the notion that warm temperature allows for more social interaction situations (Routine Activity Theory) in which aggression is likely to unfold. We propose a new model, CLimate, Aggression, and Self-control in Humans (CLASH), that helps us to understand differences within and between countries in aggression and violence in terms of differences in climate. Lower temperatures, and especially larger degrees of seasonal variation in climate, call for individuals and groups to adopt a slower life history strategy, a greater focus on the future (vs. present), and a stronger focus on self-control. The CLASH model further outlines that slow life strategy, future orientation, and strong self-control are important determinants of inhibiting aggression and violence. We also discuss how CLASH differs from other recently developed models that emphasize climate differences for understanding conflict. We conclude by discussing the theoretical and societal importance of climate in shaping individual and societal differences in aggression and violence.
Sam Adams Member	Sun Mar 04 11:37:24 "theoretical explanations for these large differences in aggression and violence within countries and around the world are lacking." Lacking theories? They mean lacking politically correct theories. Africa is equatorial.
Nimatzo iChihuaha	Sun Mar 04 12:13:25 That have explanatory power. It is quite obvious when you travel to a tropical Island why everything is so laid back, because you can survive naked outdoors all year around. Just look at the dozens of people that died in Europe last week from the unexpected cold weather. Procrastination in a cold climate has a direct consequences for the ability to survive. That would play a huge role for the type of culture that would rise, say the Lutheran work ethics of northern Europe or the "Manana" attitude of the Med. It adds more weight to word "chill" :) There are other directly biological things I would want answered. Like the role of vectors, bacteria and parasites directly and indirectly. The equator has pretty much all of the nasty and deadly parasites and bacteria. Those things make it difficult for large settlement type cultures to develop naturally without huge improvements in sanitary technology.
Sam Adams Member	Sun Mar 04 13:22:54 Also theres bergmans rule which states that the superior members of a given species tend to be located at the coldest portion of their range for heat conservation reasons.
jergul large member	Sun Mar 04 14:32:28 Sort of mangling Bergman there Sammy. But I can get behind any theory that argues the innate superiority of me and other arctic dwellers.
Nimatzo iChihuaha	Mon Mar 05 05:02:09 It relates to body mass which in turn has to do with heat conservation. Bigger specimens can retain heat better than smaller ones, as the ones proud owner of a Chihuahua I can confirm this. Though in a hotter climate that body mass is a detriment. This principles is actually not very relevant to human survival in general since we have Heatpumps and ACs now. Nor to lower levels of violence or as contributing factor to the civilization effort. The results as far as they go are "relevant" in cc skiing and marathons. You will not find a lot of Scandinavians winning world level marathons because selection pressure in this part of the world has been to retain body heat, while Kenyans and Ethiopians have been "pressured" :-D to give off heat. Planning your life and working methodically towards goals, those are teachable skills that are a benefit to the individual and society regardless of climate. Not so clear with body mass.
TJ Member	Mon Mar 05 17:43:36 Fat wrapping the body keeps heat closer to its core. Not sure muscle is an equal protector when mass only is the focus.
Aeros Member	Mon Mar 05 23:15:50 Nimatzo is getting dangerously close to arguing that different human phenotypes are actually different sub species.
Aeros Member	Mon Mar 05 23:21:31 I would argue that rather then that the imperative of winter creates different cultural and psychological selection among human societies. If you KNOW winter is coming, Time becomes a very precious commodity. If you dont use the time in the warm months wisely winter will kill you. Your life is a constant preparation for events yet to come. The more laid back attitude of the Tropics is not do to a biological impetus, but rather their societies dont have to constantly plan for the existential horror of winter. Their relationship with Time is more immediate. They only need worry about today. Getting stuff done before dark. But since the sun will rise tomorrow without fail, then eh, what cant be done today can he done tomorrow with little problems.
jergul large member	Tue Mar 06 02:09:09 The existential horror of winter? Its when you can get things done. For horror, try moving from A to B in the non-winter season. Increased mobility gives increased access to calories - calories that are easily storable until spring comes with all its hell.
Nimatzo iChihuaha	Tue Mar 06 02:33:09 I have no idea what you are saying Aeros or why you are authoring ”arguing” something the study already says.
Nimatzo iChihuaha	Tue Mar 06 02:37:54 TJ Surface area to volume ratio.
Dukhat Member	Tue Mar 06 05:00:43 I believe the main thesis is that northern climates tend to foster cultures that focus more on cooperation to survive the long winters. However being colder, they tend to be able to support less dense populations and cities are important centers of thought and economic activity. So it is a a balance of forces.
Sam Adams Member	Tue Mar 06 09:15:47 The ideal climate for evolution and learning is obviously one that is moderately difficult to survive... killing the weak and thoughtless but probably not killing the smart, tough, hardworking. I think we are all in good agreement about this.
jergul large member	Tue Mar 06 09:29:36 The problem here is that you are not describing an arctic climate. Its pretty easy to survive. And always has been. Wolves for example survive on mice during the hard summer months. And hunt hooved creatures during the easy winter season. Stone age humans were able to hunt the largest herbivores to extinction in winter climates. In Africa? Not so much. Even with mordern weapons, people are having trouble killing of various large herbivores down there.
Sam Adams Member	Tue Mar 06 09:51:37 Winter climates are obviously more difficult to survive than tropical ones. You dont even need clothes in the tropics.
Sam Adams Member	Tue Mar 06 09:53:13 Not saying that living in europe or north america is particularly difficult... just not as easy as the tropics.
Nimatzo iChihuaha	Tue Mar 06 11:46:52 It isn't about wolves seasonal hunting habits or how "easy" it is, but life in human settlements and requirement for planning ahead where there are large variations in seasonal climate, specifically temperature.
jergul large member	Tue Mar 06 16:24:56 Putting on a patch of feral dog hide to keep my head warm is not actually rocket science. Food storage and transportation is the big human challenge. Always is, always has been. *checks soup left out on balconey last week for lunch tomorrow* My God, it has not gone bad. What a surprise! Or in sum. Microbes, fungi, and insects are what makes human existence difficult. You guys all know this.
Nimatzo iChihuaha	Tue Mar 06 16:53:41 "Microbes, fungi, and insects are what makes human existence difficult." Sun Mar 04 12:13:25 "There are other directly biological things I would want answered. Like the role of vectors, bacteria and parasites directly and indirectly. The equator has pretty much all of the nasty and deadly parasites and bacteria. Those things make it difficult for large settlement type cultures to develop naturally without huge improvements in sanitary technology." The rest is assorted gibberish from someone that did not get the topic of the study or just retarded BS.
jergul large member	Wed Mar 07 02:17:43 Nimi Human life is easiest and best in semi-aquatic states on for example small river deltas or fjords in climates with frigid winters. For example where I live. The reasons for this are numerous and relate to food accessability of types that by evolutionary design support healthy lives, storage of food, and ease of transportation and travel so you are not stuck marrying your cousins. This also remains true to the modern time, as places excempt from the worst effects of for example feudalism and colonialism are in the same places. That you do not understand something does not make it gibberish. It simply makes you poorly educated.
jergul large member	Sat Mar 10 09:37:45 Human fat distribution is a poor insulator incidentally. We lose heat from groin, head, armpits, and neck. Or where the blood is relatively exposed regardless of how much fat you put on (we can go into the details of the head if anyone cares enough).
Nimatzo iChihuaha	Sat Mar 10 09:40:58 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-area-to-volume_ratio You really need to shut up.
McKobb Member	Sat Mar 10 22:35:54 Blame it on the rain
jergul large member	Sun Mar 11 11:40:22 Nimi Heat loss as a function of effective insulation and delta T. The vascular system functions as a thermal bridge within such systems. Any engineer would know that. Which raises questions...
TJ Member	Sun Mar 11 12:03:14 Does serotonin production have anything to do with weather resistance? Might it be one of many factors.
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